Automatic self-flushing commode



Oct. 7, 1947.

N. SH EPARD AUTOMATIC SELF FLUSHING COMMODE Filed 001;. 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 T m my M 0 fig. 2.

Oct. 7, 1947. gHEPARD 2,428,685

' AUTOMATIC SELF FLUSHING COMMODE Filed Oct. 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR. /V00// 5 H E PflA D ATTD R N EYS Patented Oct. 7, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,428,685 AUTOMATIC SELF-FLUSHING COMMODE Noah Shepard, San Juan, P. R. Application October 9, 1944, Serial No. 557,910

1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to a water flush device for toilet bowls, and more especially to a toilet bowl seat cover operated water flush tank valve actuating mechanism.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character, on the raising of a cover from a toilet bowl seat, the bowl will be automatically flushed after use thereof when the said cover returns to closed covering position on the seat, thereby eliminating hand actuation for flushing purposes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character, wherein the valve thereof when in one position regulates the flow of a determined quantity of water within the flush tank into a flushing compartment therein to be subsequently delivered to the toilet bowl after the use thereof for the flushing of the same automatically, the flushing operation being controlled by the seat cover for the bowl, and in this manner relieving manual labor for such purpose.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character, wherein the construction and manner of assembly of its parts are novel and unique and is automatic in the working thereof for the bowl flush operation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, sturdy, durable, possessed of few parts, its parts being readily accessible for inspection and repairs or replacements, easily and positive in the working, does not detract from the general appearance of the bowl and flush tank therefor, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in th features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which show the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a toilet bowl and flush tank, with seat and cover for the bowl, showing the mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention applied, the cover being closed.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the flush tank and a portion of the mechanism showing the normal position of the valve when the seat cover is closed after flushing of the bowl.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the valve casing and adjuncts, the valve being in the position shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view looking toward thevalve casing. 1

Figure is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3 looking inthe direction of the v arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of the seat and cover. I

Figure '7 is a fragmentary top plan thereof and the tank, the latter being partly broken away.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates generally a toilet bowl, B the flush tank which is spaced rearwardly therefrom and is supported upon a vertical support to be above the said bowl, while I is a forwardly and rearwardly slidable seat for the bowl, the sliding movements being limited, and this seat has associated therewith a vertically swingable cover I l for the covering and uncovering of the bowl, as is common practice.

Leading from the tank B is a water delivery pipe l2 which opens into the bowl A at the rear thereof, the coupling of the pipe with the bowl and tank B being had in any selected or well known manner. Intermediate of the length of the pipe I2 is a valve casing 13 built therewith, and from the top of this casing extends a branch pipe M, which is coupled to the tank B, for communication with a measuring and flush compartment or chamber l5 interiorly of said tank. The tank B is provided interiorly thereof with a float operated cut-off device l6 which functions to chamber.

prevent overflow of water let into the said tank from a water supply conduit 11, the device being of any ordinary well known construction and operates in the usual manner.

Within the casing I3 is a plug type turn valve l8, it having a water by-pass l9, whereby the said valve when in one position allows water to flow from the tank B into the compartment or chamber l5 for the filling thereof, but cutting the water off from the bowl A, and in the other position this valve permits the water to flow from the compartment or chamber l5 directly into the bowl for the flushing thereof, but cutting the water off from the tank to the compartment or The valve I8 is controlled and operated by the mechanism constituting the present invention and hereinafter set forth in detail,

The mechanism constituting the invention, comprises an outwardly arched operating arm or 3 lever 20 which has one end fixed by a terminal ear 2| to the upper side of the cover H and its other end connected by a pivot 22 to the crank 23 fixed on the stem 24 of the valve l8, and this crank 23 is equipped with a weight member 25, at the opposite side of the stem 24 with respect to the pivot 22 connecting the crank and arm or lever. When the cover II is raised, the valve is adjusted to one position and on the lowering f said cover, the'valve turns to the other position of movement. The cover on closing, brings the valve to the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, for efiecting flushing of the bowl from the compartment or chamber l5, then when the cover is raised, the flushing is cut off andthe valve establishes communication between thetank B and the said compartment or chamber l for, the filling of the latter with water'from the said tank.

The cover II has fitted thereto a segmental toothed wheel 26, its teeth 21 meshing with a companion toothed rack 28 fitted to the seat I, so that when the cover isflraised, the latter will be moved forwardly and when occupied, the weight of the occupant will prevent reverse sliding' of the seat and thus the cover H vwill be maintained in a raised position, thereby holding the valve l8 in adjusted position. When the seat becomes unoccupied, theweight member25 causes the coverto become lowered, and the seat I will shift rearwardly to a normal position.

It-should-be apparent that the flushing of the 4 bowl .A will be automatic in the use of the mechanism, thereby eliminating hand flushing of such bowl, as is now common and well known.

What is claimed is:

A water closet comprising a bowl, a seat, a cover for the seat, a flush tank having a storage compartment and a flushing compartment therein, a valved pipe connection for delivering Water in sequence from the storage compartment to the flushing compartment andfrom the flushing compartment to'the bowl; a= valve-in said connection operable by raising movement of the cover'to deliver water from the storage compartment to the flushing compartment, said valve being operable on lowering movement of the cover to deliver Water from the flushing compartment to the bowl, said cover being biased to its closed position by counterweight means and arack and pinion interconnecting the seat and cover for moving the seat forwardly on raising movement of the. cover and for holding the cover in raised position when the seat is occupied;

NOAH SHEPARD.

REFERENCES CITED" The following references areof' record in the file of this patent:

v UNITED STATES PATENTS" Number Name Date 481,498 Kremelberg Aug. 23; 1892 1,276,265 Purnell .Aug.'20', ,1918 

